Antimicrobial artificial nail product

ABSTRACT

An antimicrobial composition includes ABS resin; and Nano silver antimicrobial agent. The weight ratio between ABS resin and Nano silver anti-bacterial agent can be about 200:1. An antimicrobial artificial nail product includes a nail body that includes the antimicrobial composition. The nail body has a front side and a back side; and an adhesive layer may be applied on the back side of the nail body, which including a front side and a back side. A protective layer may be applied on the back side of the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer can be in the middle of the back side of the artificial nail body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201220191538.1 filed on Apr. 27, 2012 with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China, issued on Nov. 21, 2012 and titled ARTIFICIAL FINGERNAIL; Chinese Patent Application No. 201210157469.7 filed on May 21, 2012 with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China and titled ANTIMICROBIAL MATERIAL FOR ARTIFICIAL FINGERNAIL; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/680,477 filed on Aug. 7, 2012 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and titled ANTIMICROBIAL ARTIFICIAL NAIL PRODUCT, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The following description is directed towards an artificial nail product and a type of antimicrobial material made of modified resin for artificial nails.

2. Description of the Related Art

Traditionally, fast drying glue is applied to the back of an artificial nail and is adhered to the actual fingernail of a person. This traditional method has strong adhesiveness, but it may be harmful to the fingernail due to the chemical compounds in the glue. Also, chemical solvent is used when removing the artificial fingernail, which may cause harm to the human body. As such, it is desirable to provide a new and improved artificial nail that does not produce any harmful effects.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an antimicrobial composition includes ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent. The weight ratio between ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent is about 200:1.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an antimicrobial artificial nail product includes a nail body and the nail body is made of a material including ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent. The weight ratio between ABS resin and Nano silver anti-bacterial agent is about 200:1.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an antimicrobial artificial nail product includes a nail body made of a material including ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent, which has a front side and a back side; an adhesive layer on the back side of the nail body, having a front side and a back side; and a protective layer on the back side of the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer can be in the middle of the back side of the artificial nail product. The weight ratio between ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent can be about 200:1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows sketches of various antimicrobial artificial nail products;

FIG. 2 illustrates the layer construction of one embodiment of an antimicrobial artificial nail product;

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate various angled views of one embodiment of an antimicrobial artificial nail product; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of a process of making an antimicrobial composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Antimicrobial Artificial Nail Product

The present invention provides a new type of artificial fingernail. The artificial fingernail includes a nail body; an adhesive layer on the back side of the artificial nail body (the side facing the actual fingernail of a person); and a protection layer on back side of the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is in the middle of the back side of the nail body. Embodiments of the present invention provide the following results: 1. a perfect attachment as the adhesive layer is designed according to the curvature of the artificial fingernail, which reproduces the curvature in a 1:1 ratio; and 2. a positioning hole is added to the nail body with a clamping tool. The positioning hole can be used together with locating pin on a turntable to provide accurate positioning and to prevent the mis-positioning of the adhesive layer due to movement of the turntable during the manufacturing process. This will increase the quality and production efficiency of the artificial fingernail products.

To solve the problems associated with artificial fingernail as discussed previously, the purpose according to aspects of the present invention is to provide a type of artificial fingernail that has guaranteed adhesiveness and at the same time does not harm the human body and is easy to remove. To achieve the above purpose, a type of artificial fingernail is provided, which includes a nail body of artificial fingernail; an adhesive layer on the back side of the artificial nail body; and a protection layer on back side of the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is in the middle of the back of the artificial fingernail.

Drawings and examples will be used to further explain the structure of the artificial fingernail. FIG. 1 shows sketches of various artificial fingernail products. FIG. 2 shows the layer construction of one embodiment of an artificial fingernail. FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a top view (3A), angled view (3B), cross-section view (3C), and side view (3D) of one embodiment of the artificial fingernail.

Referring to FIG. 2, an artificial fingernail includes a nail body (1) of the artificial fingernail; an adhesive layer (2) on the back side of the nail body (1); and a protection layer (3) on the back side (the side facing the actual fingernail of a person) of the adhesive layer (2). The adhesive layer (2) is placed in the middle section of the back side of the artificial fingernail (1) (i.e., centered around a center line running from the top to the bottom of the nail). In one embodiment, the adhesive layer (2) covers a bottom section (i.e., opposite to the top section of a fingernail) of the artificial fingernail. In another embodiment, the adhesive layer (2) covers about ¾ of the artificial fingernail from the bottom of the nail. In yet another embodiment, the adhesive layer (2) covers about the full length of the artificial fingernail.

The nail body (1) can be made of any suitable material through any suitable process. Exemplary suitable plastic materials include SBS resin, EVA resin, ABS resin, polycarbonate resin, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, the nail body (1) is made of ABS resin. Example process can be injection molding, casting and other suitable processes. The adhesive layer (2) is made of synthetic polymeric sheet materials. The adhesive layer (2) provides suitable adhesion force so that the artificial fingernail can stick to the end user's fingernails as long as the user intends to, and can be peeled off without the use of any organic or harmful solvents. In one embodiment of the invention, the adhesive layer includes pressure sensitive adhesives. Suitable pressure sensitive adhesives can be emulsion based, solvent based, or hot-melt based. Suitable pressure sensitive adhesives can be rubber based, acrylic based, silicone based and any other suitable composition. The pressure sensitive adhesives are tacky under application of slight pressure and can be removed cleanly without the use of a solvent. The protection layer (3) can be made of any suitable material such as release coated paper, release coated polymer film, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and others.

One embodiment of a method of making the artificial fingernail is as follows: first, place the nail body (1) of the artificial fingernail on a clamping tool to machine a positioning hole. Then position the nail body (1) accurately with the positioning hole on the nail body matching the locating pin on the turn table. The nail body (1) is placed so that the back side, (i.e., the side to face the actual fingernail of a person) is easily accessible to the operator or a robot. Next, place the adhesive layer (2) in the middle of the back side of the artificial fingernail body (1). The adhesive layer (2) with a protection layer (3) on the back side can be transferred from a source location to the nail body (1) using vacuum. The artificial fingernail made with this unique production method and design will prevent the misplacement of the adhesive layer when there is movement to the turntable. The end user will peel off the protection layer (3) of the artificial fingernail and place the artificial fingernail with the adhesive layer (2) contacting one's own fingernail. The above mentioned adhesive layer (2) is made of an elastic polymeric material that has a certain thickness and can be used to provide adhesion to the actual fingernail of a person, and also has a buffering effect. Therefore, it feels comfortable after the person puts it on and the strength of the adhesion is just right. When the user decides to remove the artificial fingernail, it can be simply peeled off the user's finger without the use of any organic solvents.

Antimicrobial Composition

Aspects of the present invention are further directed toward a type of nail product and an antimicrobial material, which includes ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent. In one embodiment, Nano-silver has nano-sized silver (Ag) particles suspended in pure de-ionized water. Approximately 80% of the silver is in the form of metallic silver nano-particles. The remaining silver is in ionic form. ABS (chemical formula (C8H8)x.(C4H6)y.(C3H3N)z) is a thermoplastic material.

The glass transition temperature of ABS, which is an amorphous material and therefore has no true melting point, is approximately 105° C. (221° F.). It is a copolymer made by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene. The weight ratio can vary from 15 to 35% acrylonitrile, 5 to 30% butadiene and 40 to 60% styrene. The reaction product is a long chain of polybutadiene criss-crossed with shorter chains of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile). The nitrile groups from neighboring chains, being polar, attract each other and bind the chains together, making ABS stronger than pure polystyrene. The styrene gives the plastic a shiny, impervious surface. The butadiene, a rubbery substance, provides elasticity and resilience even at low temperatures. For majority of applications, ABS can be used between −20 and 80° C. (−4 and 176° F.) as its mechanical properties vary with temperature. The properties are created by rubber toughening, where fine particles of elastomeric plybutadiene are distributed throughout the rigid matrix of styrene-acrylonitrile.

In one embodiment, the weight ratio between ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent is about 200:1. The effect of this invention not only makes ABS resin antimicrobial, but it does not affect the original state of the ABS resin, which enables this antimicrobial material to be widely used in cosmetic products and the nail beautifier field that utilizes ABS resin. Using this type of antimicrobial material can effectively reduce the amount of germs that are left on people's skin in their daily lives. This shows the antimicrobial function of the material and that the material is toxin-free and harmless and serves the purpose of protecting people's health.

The ABS resins used are light yellow, non-transparent resin material in granular shapes. These resins possess the characteristics of impact resistance, heat resistance, cold resistance, chemical resistance, excellent electrical performance, ease of processing, consistent product size, nice luster and other benefits. However, when used in cosmetic nail product, the ingredient is not antimicrobial and large amount of germs will grow and stay on the surface of the product and could potentially be harmful to the health. Nano silver antimicrobial agent is a white liquid made from the ionic exchange of nano-sized titanium dioxide and silver. Nano silver has silver particles with a diameter in nano-scale. The amount of nano-sized silver in the antimicrobial agent is about 1.8%-3.6% and the average diameter of each particle is about 30±10 (nm) with 6-8 pH. The science behind the anti-bacteria function is that Nano silver antimicrobial agent releases positively charged ions at a controlled speed, which are attached to the openings of the cell walls of germs and mildew and destroying microorganisms' electron transport system, respiratory system, and material transfer system to quickly destroy bacteria. To achieve a breakthrough, one has to figure out how to organically combine the 2 agents mentioned above to use as a material for cosmetic fingernails.

Due to the lack of structure in current technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide a type of nail product and an antimicrobial agent to enable ABS resin to be antimicrobial after being mixed with Nano silver and at the same time preserve the other physical and chemical properties of the original ABS resin. It paved a new path for the artificial nail industry. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial composition can be included in any layer of an artificial fingernail.

To achieve the above purpose, an antimicrobial material for artificial fingernails includes ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent. The weight ratio between ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent is about 200:1. According to embodiments of the invention, Nano silver antimicrobial agents are added to the ABS resin to create a new material for artificial nails that is antimicrobial. The material not only makes ABS resin antimicrobial, but it does not affect the original properties of the ABS resin, which enables this antimicrobial material to be widely used in cosmetic products and artificial nail products that utilizes ABS resin. Using this type of antimicrobial material can effectively reduce the amount of germs that are typically left on people's skin in their daily lives. This shows the antimicrobial function of the material and that the material is toxin-free and harmless and serves the purpose of protecting people's health.

Drawings and examples will be used to further explain the nail product and antimicrobial material. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of a process of making the antimicrobial material. Referring to FIG. 4, first, ABS resin raw material and Nano silver antimicrobial agent are provided. Next, ABS resin is mixed with Nano silver antimicrobial agent evenly based on a weight ratio of about 200:1 to make the antimicrobial material. Mixing and stirring are to be conducted thoroughly. The mixed materials can be used as a new antimicrobial material, enabling ABS resin, with unchanged physical and chemical characteristics, to become antimicrobial.

The nail product can be made by the following exemplary process: first, prepare 200 parts (i.e., 200 grams) of ABS resins and one part (i.e., one gram) of Nano silver antimicrobial agent. Second, place them into an automatic mixer and mix them at the speed of about 40 rotations/minute (rpm) for 30 minutes. Lastly, take small amount of sample material and place them under a microscope for testing. It is considered meeting the standard if there is 50% or greater silver particles scattered in the material, which signifies the successful creation of new antimicrobial material for nail products. If the testing failed, it is most likely due to insufficient mixing and stirring time, i.e., less than 30 minutes.

One shall inspect the ratio instruction and automatic mixing and stirring machines and continue mixing at 40 rotations/minute for 10-30 minutes, or continue until meeting the standard examined under a microscope.

A sample made according to the exemplary process has been tested for anti-bacterial activities and anti-fungal activities according to QB/T 2591-2003. For anti-bacterial activities, two strains of bacteria were tested: bacterium 1—Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and bacterium 2—Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. A standard polyethylene (PE) was used as the control. Table 1 summarizes the number of bacteria counted at the beginning of the test and after 24 hours of the test. For anti-fungal activities, six types of fungi were used and a 25 mm×25 mm strip of filter paper was used as a control sample. Table 2 is a list of the fungi used and table 3 is a summary of the degree of fungi (mold) growth after a number of days of testing. The degree of mold growth was determined by examination under a microscope with a 50×lens. A 0 degree growth indicates no mold growth, first degree growth indicates positive mold growth with less than 10% growth, and second degree growth indicates equal to or greater than 10% growth.

As can be observed from Table 1, the amount of each bacterium in the antimicrobial sample made according to the exemplary process of the present invention is undetectable at the beginning of the test while the control sample has over 10⁵ bacterial counts for each baterium, indicating good anti-bacterial property of the antimicrobial product. Even after 24 hours, the amount of bacteria count is less than 20 for the antimicrobial product, while that increased to over 3.8×10⁶ for the control sample. The test results demonstrated strong anti-bacterial property of the antimicrobial product.

Referring to table 3, after just 7 days, the control sample had a second degree mold growth and the mold covered 100% of the sample area. On the contrary, after even 28 days, the antimicrobial sample had 0 degree of mold growth. This test result demonstrated strong anti-fungal property of the antimicrobial product.

TABLE 1 Control Test Sample Test Bacteria 1 At beginning 1.9 × 10⁵ — After 24 hrs 5.3 × 10⁶ <20 % reduction of — >99 bacteria Test Bacteria 2 At beginning 1.1 × 10⁵ — After 24 hrs 3.8 × 10⁶ <20 % reduction of — >99 bacteria

TABLE 2 Fungi Number Aspergillus niger AS 3.4463 (ATCC 6275) Aspergillus terreus AS 3.3935 Chaetoomium AS 3.4254 globsum Penicillium AS 3.3875 funiculosum Aureobasium AS 3.3984 Pullulans Paecilomyces vaioti AS 3.4253

TABLE 3 Days of Degree of Mold Area of Mold Testing Growth Growth Control  7 second 100% Sample 28 0 0

The antimicrobial material can be used to make the nail body, the adhesive layer, and other nail related products. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial material is used to make an artificial fingernail. The artificial fingernail has a nail body and the nail body is made of a material including the antimicrobial material described above. In another embodiment, the artificial fingernail has a nail body, an adhesive layer and a protective layer. The antimicrobial material is used to make the nail body.

Although aspects of the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the product and composition of the present invention. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the specific details given herein. Further, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the spirit and scope of the claims which follow, or equivalents thereof. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An antimicrobial artificial nail product, comprising: a nail body comprises of a mixture of ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent.
 2. The antimicrobial artificial nail product of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio between ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent is about 200:1.
 3. The antimicrobial artificial nail product of claim 1, wherein the nail body having a front side and a back side; and further comprising: an adhesive layer on the back side of the nail body, having a front side and a back side; and a protective layer on the back side of the adhesive layer.
 4. The antimicrobial artificial nail product of claim 3, wherein the adhesive layer is in the middle of the back side of the artificial nail product.
 5. The antimicrobial artificial nail product of claim 3, wherein the weight ratio between ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent is about 200:1.
 6. An antimicrobial composition, comprising: ABS resin; and Nano silver antimicrobial agent, wherein the weight ratio between ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent is 200:1.
 7. An antimicrobial artificial nail product, consisting of: a nail body comprises of a mixture of ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent, wherein the weight ratio between ABS resin and Nano silver antimicrobial agent is about 200:1. 